Seed and febtilizeb



Nov; 29, 1927.

W. S. AUSTIN SEED AND FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTOR Filed Oct. 2. 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 MTMMN Nov. 29, 1927.

W. 5. AUSTIN SEED AND FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTOR Q y KM} 5 Sheetsgwuomtoz William 5. 141151151 Nov. 29, 1927.

W. S. AUSTIN SEED AND FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTOR Filed Oct. 2. 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 gwumtom Nov. 29, 1921.

W. S. AUSTIN SEED AND FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTOR Filed Oct. 2. 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 W Mini nw uml Nov. 29, 1927.

W. 5. AUSTIN SEED AND FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 2, 1926 Mum/n s. Ausjin Patented Nov. 29, 1927.

UNITED STATES 'W'ILLIAIMI S. AUSTIN, OF SOUTH PARIS, MAINE.

SEED AND FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTOR.

Application filed. October 2, 1926.

This invention relates to machines for distributing fertilizer or seeds.

The object of this invention is to provide devices of this kind with means whereby the distribution of seeds or fertilizer will be more efficiently performed than is possible with devices heretofore known in the art.

A further object is to provide devices of this type with means whereby the operator can readily control the operation from a centrally located operators seat.

Other objects will appear as the detailed description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a rear perspective view of the machine;

Fig. 2 is a front perspective view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of part of the drum with a door connected thereto and shown in open position;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary central vert'cal section through the clutch mechanism mounted on the distributing drum and driving shafts of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the valve mechanism controlling the distribution of seed or fertilizer from the drum;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail showing valve controlling mechanism in valve closing position;

Fig. 8 is a similar detail view illustrating said mechanism with the valve in open posi tion;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the main operating lever of this invention;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the link- .ge which controls the operation of the ma- -hine from the operators seat;

.Fig. 11 is an elevation of this linkage as connected up to the clutch mechanism of the invention; and,

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view to an enlarged scale ofthc di.--:charge valve.

control mechanism of this invention.

The machine shown in the drawing has similar elements symmetrically arranged relative to the center line 3-3 (Fig. 1) passing through the drivers seat.

Similar parts on opposite sides of this line will therefore be designated by the same reference characters with the undcrstamling Serial No. 139,117.

I extends with tight fit into the bore at in the hub 5 of a spider having spokes 6 radiating from said hub 5 to carry the spider rim 7 and bolts (Fig. to fix the hub 53 securely to shaft 3.

The bore 41 extends only halfway through hub 5 and is coaxial with a smaller bore 9 in which the end of the drum shaft 10 is mounted to rotate, a bearing bushing 11 being suitably riveted or otherwise secured to the said end to take up wear.

The drum 12 has its end 13 fixed to its shaft 10 by means of a plate 14 which is bolted to said end by bolts 15 and is provided with a hub 16 secured by key 17 to shaft 10.

The drive of wheels 1 is transmitted on each side of the machine by means of a sprocket wheel 18 formed integrally with a clutch member 19 mounted 'rotatably on shaft 3 between hubs 2 and 1 (see Fig. 5) and adapted to he slid along shaft 3 into and out of operative engagement with the cooperating clutch member, 20 (integral wit-h the hub 2). The clutch member 19 is provided with the annular groove 21 adaptcd to receive the pins 22 (see Fig. 10) of a bent clutch operating lever 23 fulcrumed intermcdiate its ends in a strap 21 bolted suitably to one end of the bracket 25 fixed to and depending from the spider rim 7 (see Figs. 11 and 12).

A. drum driving countershaft 26 extends clear across the rear of the machine (see Fig. 1) and is supported rotatably in bearings 27 and 28 mounted on the spiders 7 and on the intermediate arcuatc supporting straps 29, which form part of the skeleton frame supporting structure and are riveted or otherwise secured to the longitudinal channel irons 30, 31, 32 and 33 which have their opposite ends secured to the spider rims 7 at opposite sides of the machine. The shaft 26 is prevented from moving axially in its bearing by any well-known suitable means and has mounted on each end thereof a sprocket wheel 31 in mesh with an endless sprocket chain 35 which alizo meshes with the clutch sprocket wheel 18.

The shaft 26. between the spider 7 and end 13 of the drum 12, has the sprocket wheel 36 fixed thereto, and the endless chain 3? meshes therewith. to impart the rotation thereof to the sprocket wheel 38 which is keyed on to the hub 16 of the Jlate I l.

From the description so far, it will be apparent that when the clutch elenents are engaged shown in Fig. 1 the rotation of wheels 1 will be transmitted to the drum 12 by means of the sprocket wheels 18, 36 and 38, shaft 26 and chains andll'i', and thatthe raio between the rotation of the wheels 1 and drum 12 may be'predetermined as desired by usingdifferent sizes sprocket. wheels.

Tliie clutch lever '23 is bent over the end of the angle iron 33 and is provided with an aperture 39 through which a rod l suit ably tired to the iron 33 extends (see 2, 10, 11 and 12. A-coinpessien spring surrounding rod has one end thereoli nontting against theh-ead 42 and has its other end seated against the washer 4L3 on said rod and in contact with clutch lever to press tee end ed thereof dovv'nvmrdly thward angle iron 88.

In order to operatethe clutch lever 23. a second angleiron lever a5 is pivoted intermediate ends on a -t'ul.cruin d6 suitably tired to the angleiron 3S,'and has its end. arranged under and in Contact with the lower face of end to raise the said end eat and operate the clutch lever 23. The end at"? of lever 4-5 is maintainednormally low ered toward the'angle iron by ineans ot a compression spring; 48 surrounding the lower part of a rod 19 which has one end thereof lined to the angle iron and slides freely through an aperture 50 formed in an abutment plate 51 extending laterally from the vertical web of angle iron The spring 48 is interposed between the horizontal web of iron SS-and plate 51 and normally tends to raise the left hand arm of lever 15 toward the pin 5 fixed through the free end of rod 4-9 to limit the upward movement oi lever 45.

A bracket 53 fixed to the end 5%: ot the lever 4:5 is shaped to provide a small stub shaft on which a concave-surfaced roller 56 rotatabl mounted to seat in a correspondingly shaped curve 57 formed in one side of a lever 58 Which is pivoted through hole 59 formed in the seat iron 60 (see F 2 and The lever 58 comprises two straps 61 rivetedtogetherat one of their. ends with spacer plates between said ends. Each strap is bent around to torin a substantially ll-shaped portion (in the lower edge of which the curve 57. is formed) which terminates in a plate 64- riveted to the straight part of plate 61. Ratchet teeth 65 are formed on the upper edge of plates 01 and 641-. for a purpose to be described later.

The parts so far described are identical on cam side of the plane perpendicular to the of the drum and passing through the vertical line of Fig. 1, and are in dicated by the same reference numerals.

The lever (see particularly Figs. 2 and 3) pivoted at one end by means of pin be passing through holes 59 to the iron 60, and has the spacer plates 62 bent at right angles to form foot plates M. The outer end of each root plate is provided with a hole 68 to receive one bent end ct a sprin 69 the other one of wl h is'secured to a chain 70 passing aroui pulleys T1 and. 72. ii: .d rotatably at opposite eids ot a stand ard secured to tle angle iron 33 by rivits or bolts Tl. The other end of a chain 70 is secured to one end of a. lever arin Tet which has other rigidly secured to the end 7 U o a shaft '76 which projects through a bear- & secured to the angle iron 81 (see Figs. 1 and A transverse rod connects the "rec ends of lever arnis ind a tcnsioi this rot 8 to the upper end ot a standard spring connects the middle 01? T having other end lined to the rear angle iron'31 (see Figs. 1 and 3), the said spring 79 passover the center of a rod 81 which is integrally connected to the shaft 76 means of the ends Attention is directed to the tact that the members Tet T8, 82, 8.1. and 78 are fined relative to each other and pivot as a whole about the bearings '77. The reason for this rigid connection. will appear later.

On opposite sides of the line 3+3 the an 'iiicd tlicrct cine" '7? and in the names thereto and movable ac P)? which is provided wit .1 one end the 'eol 'and with a p 8.9 :uljnstal eon said in member 89 may be'auliusted her the art-unto gage S7, which is with a. series or" s acel ug 'nirt 90. each adapted to receive a. u:

i 8D in adjusted position. top

D 89 is in the desired adjnstlxl position, 2 line adjustment nmy he had by using the adjusting stop screw 2 in the end of stop 89.

As shown in 2 and 13, the rod Ell has its opposite ends pro. Ill with members 9'22. projecting into the path of movement of the handles 86 and each nieniiber has a set screw adjustable to contac with tl c handies 86.

The outer ends of rods are bent to form crank rlns 9 t in wh ch eycbolts i pivoted (see i g. 3) to *arry a valve operating plate 96 c drum. The plate 96 has a series of flexible rods 97 spaced along and fixed to the lower edge of plate 96 and extending under the drum 12 to the opposite side thereof to he connect-ed to the lower ends of a correspond ing member of bent supporting plates 98, each of which has its other end pivoted by bolt 99 to the end of a spring blade 100 carried by the angle iron 33. An adjusting screw 101 is screwthreaded into the upper end of each plate 98 to tilt the lower end thereof toward or from the drum in order to increase the tension on a valve controlling spring 102 which has one end connected to the lower end of a plate 98 and has its other end secured to an eychott 103 clamped by suitable nuts 101 to angle iron 33.

)1 similar series valve controlling springs 105 have their opposite ends secured to eyebolts 100 and 107 similarly clamped by nuts 10?. 109 respectively to the angle irons b0 and 31 respectively.

The drum 12 is provided with doors 110 near each end thereof, each of which is provided with a pair ot arcuate cleats 111 hav ing turned over ends 112 adapted to be connected hingedly with hasps 113 fixed to the inner face 01'' the drum. These doors give access to the inside of the drum tor filling or cleaning it.

The drum 12 is provided with rows of apertures 11s; adaptable to be closed by ball valves 115 which are mounted to slide in guide ca 'es 110 and to be moved therein to closing position by the rods 117 when the latter are moved to valve closing positions by engagement with either springs 102 or 105 or the flexible member 97. The members 102 and 105 are side members designed to operate all rods 117 contacting therewith as the drum rotates to close the valves temporarily located adjacent them. The top rows or. valves located between springs 102 and 105 close by gravity and the valves on the lower opposite side open by gravity, but may be closed by the lowermost rods 117 when desired by raising the plate 90 with the flexible rods 97 connected thereto.

Below each annular row of valves an ar cuate skid 11b is fixed at its opposite ends to the angle irons 30 and 232, and serves not only to the annular row 01'' valve cages but also to serve as a seed scatterer :tor the seeds tailing thereon.

In order to operate the clutch and valve mechanism of this apparatus simultaneous- 1y. there is pivoted to the seat iron 60 (see Fig. 3) a cam member 119 which extends across the operating lever 120 and between two cam engaging pins 121 and 122 fixed to said lever 120. The lower end 123 is twisted to form a blade 121 designed to engage the teeth of rack 65 on the lever 58. The other end of cam member 119 connected by a spring 125 to a bail 126.

The operating handle 120 is pivoted intermediate its ends by a pivot bolt 127, suitably secured in the openings 128 of the foot lever 58. The lower end of the handle 120 is provided with a notch 12S) adapted, when the handle is operated, to engage a stop 130 secured to the drum 12, and bringing the drum to a stop as soon as the clutch is disengaged. 11 cross bar 131 at the upper end of handle 120 facilitates the operation thereof, and pins and 133 extend through the handle 120 to engage the upper and lower cam edge of the cam member 119.

in Fig. 5 there is shown a cylindrical sleeve 13 1; fixed by pin to limit the movement of wheel 1 inwardly ol the shaft 3, and a washer 130 with pin 1 37 limits the outward movement. of wheel outwardly of said shatt 3.

As the machine is primarily intended to be drawn by dratt animals, the usual tin'rbers and braces theretor are shown in Fig. 2 connected to the framework of the machine itself.

The parts are shown in Figs. 1 and 12 in the relative positions occupied by them when the clutch elements 19 and 20 are engaged; and are shown in Figs. 2, 3, 10 and 11 in positions assumed thereby when the clutch elements are disengaged and the distributing drum is locked against rotation.

vVith the parts in the drum locking position shown in Fig. 2, 3, 10 and 11, the handles 86 are in their lowest position (see Figs. 2 and 3) resting against stops 88 and therefore have turned the rods 85 to raise the crank arms 9 1 (see Figs. 2 and 3)' and, through bolts 05 and plate 96, have pulled all the flexible rods or cables 97 (at the rear of the machine and shown clearly in Fig. 1) to raise all the rods 117 and thereby raise the three lowest ball valves from dotted line position (Fig. 3) to the closing positions shown.

The side springs 102 and 105 each keep three valves at the opposite sides ol the drum closed at all times and the three valves at the top close by gravity.

The drum is locked against rotation by engagement oil, the notch 12$) 01 handle 120 with the stop blade 130 on the drum (Fig. 3), and is held locked by the engagement of the blade 121 of cam member 119 with the teeth 65 of the foot lever 58. The spring 125 holds the lever 58 in tensioned engagement with the plate 121, and the springs 09 at the ends of foot plates 67, with the chains 70 passing over pulleys 71 and 72, to the free ends of levers 7-1. in conjunction with the spring '79 hold all the operating parts in spring tensioned relation to each other.

lVith all the operating parts in the drum locking positions just described, the clutch operating levers are also held in tensioned clutch release position (see Figs. 2, 1.0 and llt) liii

ll hen itv becomes necessary to rotate the drum, the driver merely pulls the handles 12,0 toward him to causethe )lll t1 engage the lower cam edge of cam member 119 and thereby to to oil? iieinent vith the ratchet teeth 65. This pulling of course, disengages the notch 129 from the stop pla e130 to release the drum;

ce ilaie 12% out the chain 70 and s irings (it) aid 3) (connected to the'l ar fill-ti; d at therear oi the h lover about. its

a. it) and ll) to and .23 to more ti .it. i nto locked engagement uith the clutch cl "cut 20. The clutch lever and e ements their assume the positions shown in 1 to pal. machine. rol handles ill, in conta 3 on the proje then moved along;

the a rcu ate i has acted on the cross hi.

the

her 5510 toward the rear oi? valve con set The h. stanty tc id to DIIOYQ up .lfi'tllllFS-t the t a'ui because he spring; cables 4. )rinp; tension-ed plate are in constant t "1181011 and in rmally hold the plate ll; down in "h .e netted line poatioii (Fig. 3) and act. through the crank ends 9% of rods ti? to raise the handles 86.

course, when the drum is cit ier hamlle or both may be manually to raise the plate 96 bodily or to re. se one end thereof. (in making a turn s dcsirahlc to raise oi'ily one end thereof order to close the valves at the inside of .o turn and diminish the valve openings from full openi at the outside of the turn to Zero opening at the inside.

The drum locking; and clutch. releasing operation is just the reverse m that don rihcd and will he obvious: l'roui insn ction or the drawing. The handle 20, when all parts are in released position, is merely parlied away from the driver to cause the pm 132 of the drum continues movement oi these parts until the plate 12% engages the last notch 65 of the ratchet plate 58. This loe closed and the doors on top ready for filling. The root plates (37 may be operated by the feet of the operator, eithe' alone or in conjunction with the handle 120 to efieet the drum locking and clutch releasing opera tion.

What I claim is:

1.. In a seed sower, a frame, a drum rotatahly mounted thereon, and having apertures therethrough, cages fined on the outside of said drum and a plin'ality of gravity actuated hall. valves carried by said drum to close and open said apertures in certain positions of said drum.

2. In a seed sewer, a frame, a drum rotatahly mounted on said frame and having a plunlity of material discharging apertures therethrough, means for rotating said drum, and gravity actuated hall valves on said drum andmovahle toward and from seating and closing pisition on said apertures to control the discharge of material therefrom.

3. in a seed sewer, a. frame, a drum rotatably mounted thereon and having a plu rality of rows of discharge apertures there through, and gravity actuated valves on the outside of said drum controlling said apertures, and means on said drum for closing all the valves of each row simultaneously.

4;. In a seed sewer, a rotatable drum having a plurality ofrows of discharge apertures, gravity actuated valves controlling said apertures, and manually operable means wholly outside of said drum for moving said valves against gravity to close said apertures.

5. In a seed sewer, a frame, a drum rotatahly mounted thereon, and having a plurality oi rectilinear rows of distharg; apertures therethrough, and coope 'ating means mounted on said frame and drum on opposite sides of said drum to close the apertures on said sides the drum rotates.

6. In a seed SO'WQI', a frame, a drum rotatahly mounted thereon and having a plurality of rows of apertures thcretl'irough, closures on said drum for said apertures, and cooperating means on said frame and drum on opposite side thereof to close all the apertures of the each row simultaneously as the drum rotates.

7. In a seed sewer, a frame, a dr 1m rotatahly mounted thereon and having a plurality of rectilinear rows of apertures spaced around the periphery'thereoi closures for said apertures, a plurality of rods extend ing lengthwise of each row and in contact with said closures, and means on opposite sides of said drum to contact with and more said rods as the drum rotates to move said closures to close said apertures simultaneously.

8. In a seed sower, a frame, a drum rotatably mounted thereon and having a plurality of discharge apertures therethrough arranged in annular rows around the periphery of the drum, valve mechanism having a cage fixed to and projecting from the drum over each aperture, and a Feed scattering guard skid mounted on said vehicle below and in alinement with each annular row of apertures.

9. In a seed sower, a skeleton frame, a pair of wheels on opposite ends thereof, a drum rotatably mounted in said frame, clutch mechanism for transmitting the rotation of said wheels to said drum, gravity actuated valves controlling the discharge of material from said drum. tensioned cables mounted on said frame and on opposite sides of said drum to hold all the valves on said sides closed, and means on said frame for sii'nultaneously closing all the remaining open valves and stopping the rotation of said drum independently of the rotation of the vehicle wheels.

10. In a seed sower, a skeleton frame, a

drum rotatably mounted thereon, and having a plurality of rectilinear rows of discharge apertures arranged around the periphery thereof, a valve controlling each aperture and manually controlled means operating all the valves in each row to close the aperture at one end of a row and leave the aperture at the other end fully open with each intermediate aperture partly closed and varying in extent of closure in direct proportion to its distance from either end of said row.

11. In a seed sower, a wheel supported skeleton frame, a material discharging drum mounted rotatably in said frame, normally engaged spring controlled clutch mechanism for transmitting the rotation of said wheels to said drum, valve mechanism controlling the discharge of materials from said drum, and means on said frame for simultaneously disengaging said clutch mechanism and locking said drum against rotation and operating said valve mechanism to cut off discharge of materials from said drum.

12. In combination, a supporting tame, a drum rotatably mounted in said frame and having a plurality of discharge apertures thrmigh its periphery, closures for said apertures, yielding cam members mounted on said frame in spaced relation and circumferentially of the drum on opposite sides thereof, leaving a free space below the drum, rods extending longitudinally of said drum and in contact with said closures and adapt ed to contact with said means to force said closures into apertures closing contact with said drum.

13. The combination s cciticd in claim 12, and means extending circumferentially of and below said drum and bridging the free space between the adjacent lower ends of the cam members, and adapted to be actuated to coact with said rods to force the closures between said ends into aperture closing contact with said drum.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

IVILLIAM S. AUSTIN. 

